Tropical Storm Gordon Recalled

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS - SPEAK OUT

December 7, 1994

Nina Leigh Cohen, 13, of Unity School in Delray Beach, recently wrote a poem about Tropical Storm Gordon, which dumped rain and spawned tornadoes all over South Florida.

Nina's parents, George and Sarah Cohen, submitted her work. The family lives in Boca Raton. The title of Nina's poem is For Gordon, With Love. Winds making it hard for the cars to drive on the streets, Accidents holding up the roads, Rain coming down in sheets, Trees rustling in the air, Power outages we all share, The kids wait to hear that school is closed for the week, The ceiling above the stove has a leak, The next door neighbors have a flood, Their entire backyard is full of mud, Oh, wait, the rain looks like its clearing up.

Students from Atlantic High School in Delray Beach have written on a variety of topics. Speak Out! continues to share their thoughts:

-- The rush-hour traffic with loud, obnoxious horns. The long, pushing and cutting lines at the grocery store. Fast-food restaurants [with) people making and yelling orders and commands to the employees. The rushing, stress and anxiety, this is all a part of life in south Palm Beach County.

The adults, children and elders all live life, making their longest, happiest days mere second glances. We are all victims of it and it is a doomed sadness in my eyes. No one ever stops to appreciate the little things in life. The beautiful oceans roar, the never-ending joyous thunderstorms, even the chirping birds that wake you up on your only morning to sleep in.

They are all relaxing, natural remedies to life. When your pet licks your hand, cuddles up to you or a bird chirps, did you ever stop to thank them? Have you thanked those who just smiled on your hardest and most stressful day?

When a child stands in front of its mother or father, they want to be with them, show them their love. Only parents think they are a distraction, not thinking of their emotions. Too many people live only for themselves, for work. Everyone needs to wake up, stop and listen. Life is a beautiful gift, a privilege. Accept it as one.

- Jennifer Brandt, 15, 10th-grader

What are some of your New Year's resolutions?

Kids, got any questions? How about answers? Tell us what's on your mind. This is your chance to Speak Out! Write to Speak Out!, Rose Boccio, Sun-Sentinel, 3333 S. Congress Ave., Delray Beach, Fla. 33445; or call 496-5463, then enter category 8168. Be sure to tell us your name, school, grade and a telephone number where you can be reached for verification.